Our current project at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln (UNL) starts the day at 6:30am. Today I went back to the project site and to follow up on a couple of things with the crew at the typical morning huddle. Our huddles are quick and we were done by 6:42am. Because the project is in the middle of a college campus parking is hard to find. We are forced to park about a ½ mile away.
On September 28th in Lincoln NE it is still dark outside at 6:42am.
As I started the walk back to my car I noticed the darkness within all the dorms. I looked around at the hundreds of dorms rooms and there was only 2 of the rooms had lights on. Seeing how nearly everybody still had the lights out made me reflect on my own days in college. Few things have changed. Before 7am most college kids are still in bed. (The thought about how in the 80s the girls would have been up because it took a long time to get all their hair into place may have crossed my mind.)
I had just left a room full of guys many of whom got up at 5 something to be at work between 6:10am and 6:29am. At 6:15am I was surrounded by go getters. Nick Pascoe, Calvin Yelm, Reuben Mitchell, Jon Brophy, Randy Brown Brandon Satterthwaite and Don Aikens were asked to work at 6:30am (Early for most people) and still they were there 15 minutes early! I work at a place full of people with the same go getter type attitude.
I wondered how the college students are going to convert to become early risers so our nation can stay strong and productive. The ones who convert quickest will likely advance past the others who continue to slumber. Of course given the proper motivation many more students might have been up and at it. Calculus and Macroeconomics classes fall short of motivating for most people regardless of generation.
I did come across a few joggers and I wanted to ask each of them to come apply for work with Willmar Electric. Somebody with the initiative to get up and go for a run at this time of day has a great head start not only on the day but on the rest of life.
I didn’t stop any joggers. I know it would have been creepy.
Then my thoughts turned to six current or recent college students or “millennials” if you prefer.
My two college age children are at their job early regardless of starting time. If a 45 minute commute to downtown Minneapolis is needed my daughter, Anne, was the bus and at work early. Despite a 1 hour drive through the country side of Maine my son, Mike, up early, out the door and at his station on time. Living on their own with their parents 500-1500 miles away in sickness or health they made it in. (My High School Daughter, Sara, leaves home at 6:30am on Thursdays to volunteer for a local youth ministry).
The current and recent college aged people at Willmar Electric. Lee Freudenberg, Caleb Dilley, Brandon and Jon Schaefer, all are at work by 7am (or earlier if asked). Whether school is in session or not these 4 go getters are always here well before most of their fellow student’s cell phone alarms have sounded.
I want to focus on one the four in particular but he is the one I know best. If you’re sad about millennials (or kids these days) I think you need to see the other side of the story.
As I walked to my car I knew I was going to run into Jon Schaefer because he was due to be on site at 7am. On site to put in 5 hours of work prior to starting his classes on the same campus later today. Jon would be there on time just like the day before, just like every day. Despite spending 6 hours on Tuesday night helping out on a wire pulling crew, he was on site on time the next day.
Just like clockwork I came across Jon coming to work at his appointed time. The lights in nearly all the dorm rooms were still off.
Yesterday Jon was hauling boxes because he was assigned the task of hauling boxes. People don’t go to college so they can haul boxes. You haul boxes around a project for 4 hours before class because you have your sights set on a long term plan for your life.
You work hard while going to college because you want to pay as you go. You work hard while going to college because you know life is better and more secure when you’re not in debt.
It is never easy to do the opposite of the crowd. The crowd is in bed while Jon is hauling boxes, pulling wire, filing reports or whatever else he is asked to do.
After graduation the crowd will be paying back their debt while Jon is investing in his future.
The contrast is inspiring.
Willmar Electric needs to find a way to continue to stock a company with this same type of person. Jon along with Brandon, Lee and Caleb prove all generations have go getters within the generation. I find it inspiring. Truly inspiring.
Thank you for the great example. Of course people like Nick, Don, Rueben, Randy, Brandon, Calvin and many more have set the example.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Friday, September 23, 2016
Listening to God
Today I had the honor of hearing my youngest daughter Sara give the Senior Moment at her schools weekly chapel. She did a wonderful job.
(She told us not to come and listen. So Sue and I had to hide from her. We listened from the hallway. It is crazy to think we would miss the chance of hearing her speak.)
Sara addressed the entire student body by explaining how she had recently come to a major decision in her life. A decision she was making because she thinks God is leading her in a new direction.
Ever since Sara was in 3rd grade she has been telling the world she would be an Elementary school teacher when she grew up. She has never wavered. Everybody Sara knew has heard about her plan to be a teacher.
Truth is Sara doesn’t waver very much on anything in life!
But in the last 6 month she has seen signs and felt God leading her in a new direction. As she considers the path for the rest of her life she now thinks she should go into Accounting.
Those of you reading this message are liking thinking “so what, Dave, she’s a high school senior. High school seniors nearly always change their minds.” I would tend to agree with you. Our oldest daughter, Anne, wanted to go into graphic design when she was Sara’s age but is now 7 months from getting an Accounting degree and our son, Mike, changed his major after his first semester. (I changed mine after 3 semesters).
But Sara’s move is significant for 3 reasons
Changing Sara’s mind is a big deal. Like I said above Sara doesn’t waver. She is focused and determined. Changing one’s mind might be seen as admitting to a mistake or drifting.
Admitting mistakes and drifting can make you look weak. Sara is mentally tough and not prone to looking weak. (No mystery where this trait came from).
Doing the same thing her Mom and Sister did is a big deal. Both Sue and Anne are accounting majors. Sara has always been more likely to be Ms. Opposite as opposed to following the pack. On one hand she has always done very well in her business and accounting classes and has always enjoyed them. But on the other hand being her own person in life led us to believe she would never consider doing what her Mom or Sister did.
She is clearly listening to God. The summary of the two reasons above lead us to the third reason. If Sara is going to change her mind or do the same things others are doing it must because she truly believes God is telling her something. She used scripture to drive home the point and explain to the audience why she was making this move. She laid it out in a very confident and convincing manner.
The bottom line and the best part of all is Sara is letting go of the steering wheel and letting God take control. She explained to her fellow students God is in control and we can trust Him to do what is best for us. It was very moving to hear somebody have such a strong faith. It is even more moving when the person telling the story happens to be your youngest child.
(She told us not to come and listen. So Sue and I had to hide from her. We listened from the hallway. It is crazy to think we would miss the chance of hearing her speak.)
Sara addressed the entire student body by explaining how she had recently come to a major decision in her life. A decision she was making because she thinks God is leading her in a new direction.
Ever since Sara was in 3rd grade she has been telling the world she would be an Elementary school teacher when she grew up. She has never wavered. Everybody Sara knew has heard about her plan to be a teacher.
Truth is Sara doesn’t waver very much on anything in life!
But in the last 6 month she has seen signs and felt God leading her in a new direction. As she considers the path for the rest of her life she now thinks she should go into Accounting.
Those of you reading this message are liking thinking “so what, Dave, she’s a high school senior. High school seniors nearly always change their minds.” I would tend to agree with you. Our oldest daughter, Anne, wanted to go into graphic design when she was Sara’s age but is now 7 months from getting an Accounting degree and our son, Mike, changed his major after his first semester. (I changed mine after 3 semesters).
But Sara’s move is significant for 3 reasons
Changing Sara’s mind is a big deal. Like I said above Sara doesn’t waver. She is focused and determined. Changing one’s mind might be seen as admitting to a mistake or drifting.
Admitting mistakes and drifting can make you look weak. Sara is mentally tough and not prone to looking weak. (No mystery where this trait came from).
Doing the same thing her Mom and Sister did is a big deal. Both Sue and Anne are accounting majors. Sara has always been more likely to be Ms. Opposite as opposed to following the pack. On one hand she has always done very well in her business and accounting classes and has always enjoyed them. But on the other hand being her own person in life led us to believe she would never consider doing what her Mom or Sister did.
She is clearly listening to God. The summary of the two reasons above lead us to the third reason. If Sara is going to change her mind or do the same things others are doing it must because she truly believes God is telling her something. She used scripture to drive home the point and explain to the audience why she was making this move. She laid it out in a very confident and convincing manner.
The bottom line and the best part of all is Sara is letting go of the steering wheel and letting God take control. She explained to her fellow students God is in control and we can trust Him to do what is best for us. It was very moving to hear somebody have such a strong faith. It is even more moving when the person telling the story happens to be your youngest child.
Friday, August 5, 2016
50 Years Worth Celebrating
The Bible tells us to honor our Parents. My siblings and I are lucky, we have great parents.
This weekend we are all getting together to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of John and Conni Chapin. The actual anniversary isn’t until October but they live on a lake and August is a better time to spend at the lake. Plus their Grandchildren are busy people and it is hard for all 10 to be available at the same time during the school year.
I think my parents are wonderful. Evidence of their greatness is when we tell our friends about the party several have given us gifts and cards to take to the party. It is very moving when people go out of their way to honor our parents.
Reflecting on how our parents have gone about raising us I think it is best summed up by a story from about 15 years ago.
My Dad and I were together at a meeting where we ran into an old friend of his. Neither of us had seen the friend in quite some time and when my Dad updated his friend about the family my Dad pointed out I was a father of three.
The friend looked at me and remarked how he hoped I was able to be at least “half the parent of my Dad.”
I laughed and told the guy I was “a much better parent, then my parents.”
The friend got a horrified look on his face. You could tell he couldn’t believe I was saying such a thing out loud.
My Dad quickly said “he right, he’s a much better parent then me.”
I added “if I am not better than my Dad then he wouldn't be able to consider himself a very parent. It is my understanding part of being an excellent parent is making sure your children turn out better then you.”
My Dad again agreed.
The friend had no choice but to agree with us.
The point of story isn’t who is a better parent. My point was to acknowledge for my Dad it isn’t about him. It is about making the world a better place. He is serious about setting a good example and serving others.
It really sums up my parents. They want to make things better. The want to make a difference in the lives of others. They do it on a large scale by working hard for causes over the years. They have made a difference in several large causes such as The Hope Pregnancy Center, several local churches, and Associated Builders and Contractors just to name a few.
The bigger impact of their lives is day to day on little things. Just yesterday they threw a birthday party for Ben Jones, a friend of our sons, because he was away from home on his birthday. All summer, every summer, they host dozens of their grandchildren’s friends at their cabin. Our Mom never forgets a birthday for even the most distant relative. Their prayer list is so huge it boggles my mind. I could go on and on with examples about how my parents have serve others. If you are reading this and you know them you likely have your own stories.
My Dad coined the phrase “People making a difference for people.” We paint it on the walls of all our offices at Willmar Electric because it is our purpose statement. Our parents serve as a living example.
The Bible tells us to honor our Parents. Nancy, Justin, Allison and I are lucky, we have great parents.
This weekend we are all getting together to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of John and Conni Chapin. The actual anniversary isn’t until October but they live on a lake and August is a better time to spend at the lake. Plus their Grandchildren are busy people and it is hard for all 10 to be available at the same time during the school year.
I think my parents are wonderful. Evidence of their greatness is when we tell our friends about the party several have given us gifts and cards to take to the party. It is very moving when people go out of their way to honor our parents.
Reflecting on how our parents have gone about raising us I think it is best summed up by a story from about 15 years ago.
My Dad and I were together at a meeting where we ran into an old friend of his. Neither of us had seen the friend in quite some time and when my Dad updated his friend about the family my Dad pointed out I was a father of three.
The friend looked at me and remarked how he hoped I was able to be at least “half the parent of my Dad.”
I laughed and told the guy I was “a much better parent, then my parents.”
The friend got a horrified look on his face. You could tell he couldn’t believe I was saying such a thing out loud.
My Dad quickly said “he right, he’s a much better parent then me.”
I added “if I am not better than my Dad then he wouldn't be able to consider himself a very parent. It is my understanding part of being an excellent parent is making sure your children turn out better then you.”
My Dad again agreed.
The friend had no choice but to agree with us.
The point of story isn’t who is a better parent. My point was to acknowledge for my Dad it isn’t about him. It is about making the world a better place. He is serious about setting a good example and serving others.
It really sums up my parents. They want to make things better. The want to make a difference in the lives of others. They do it on a large scale by working hard for causes over the years. They have made a difference in several large causes such as The Hope Pregnancy Center, several local churches, and Associated Builders and Contractors just to name a few.
The bigger impact of their lives is day to day on little things. Just yesterday they threw a birthday party for Ben Jones, a friend of our sons, because he was away from home on his birthday. All summer, every summer, they host dozens of their grandchildren’s friends at their cabin. Our Mom never forgets a birthday for even the most distant relative. Their prayer list is so huge it boggles my mind. I could go on and on with examples about how my parents have serve others. If you are reading this and you know them you likely have your own stories.
My Dad coined the phrase “People making a difference for people.” We paint it on the walls of all our offices at Willmar Electric because it is our purpose statement. Our parents serve as a living example.
The Bible tells us to honor our Parents. Nancy, Justin, Allison and I are lucky, we have great parents.
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Rolling Stones Wisdom
I was lucky enough to make it the Republican National Convention a few weeks ago. It was a fun event to get to see in person. Lots of pageantry and excitement.
But I don’t want to bore you long stories about the convention. I prefer to write about a minor event I was part of as the convention came to a close. It involves my favorite Rolling Stone’s song.
As I boarded the elevator to leave the arena I heard the sweet sounds of the London Bach Choir. Few people know much about the London Bach Choir but every fan of Classic Rock will recognize them the beautiful voices who sing the intro and background to the Stone’s classic, “You Can’t Always Get what you want.”
I quickly announced to everybody I hoped the elevator got stuck so we would be able to finish listening to Mick and the boys finish off one of my all-time favorites. I stood and listened with a smile on my face until the millennial standing next to me announce she didn’t like the song.
I was shocked and sadden. And then it got worse.
It wasn’t the beat or rhythm of the song she objected to it was the message!!! She said “I hate the message of the song.” I hope she was joking but it seems she wasn’t. Lucky for her we were in an elevator because elevators don’t have windows.
My Children are very familiar with the song. Not only because it comes up a lot on my iTunes and Spotify. My children are familiar with the song because if they had a nickel for every time I told them, “you know what Mick Jaeger would say about that,” they would be able to afford whatever they want.
In fact a few years ago my son, Mike, and were at a Fun. concert and when Nate Ruess started his cover it didn’t take more than about two bars before he was able to point out “Dad they are playing your song.” (Maybe someday my children will think it is our song, not just my song.)
I’m not suggesting you use pop culture for advice on how to live. The Stones have plenty of song I would prefer my children not live out. But in the case of this song, I would like every American to come to except the songs not so subtle message.
They don’t hide it. If fact they say it over and over and over and over again.
You can’t always get what you want but if you try sometime you might just get what you need. Oh yeah. I love it.
At Willmar Electric our core values include “treating other the way you want to be treated.” Coming to except you can’t always get what you want is the first step toward treating others the way THEY want to be treated. It is hard to focus on others and serve others if you haven’t accepted you can’t always get what you want and in fact you should even be seeking it out.
A wise man once told me. If everybody put everybody else first just imagine how much better off we all would be. We would have everybody watching out for us instead of themselves.
(Side note. Music critic Richie Unterberger once wrote, "If you buy John Lennon's observation that the Rolling Stones were apt to copy the Beatles' innovations within a few months or so, "You Can't Always Get What You Want" is the Rolling Stones' counterpart to 'Hey Jude.’” Hey Jude is my favorite song. So maybe I’m just a sucker for this very specific genre.)
But I don’t want to bore you long stories about the convention. I prefer to write about a minor event I was part of as the convention came to a close. It involves my favorite Rolling Stone’s song.
As I boarded the elevator to leave the arena I heard the sweet sounds of the London Bach Choir. Few people know much about the London Bach Choir but every fan of Classic Rock will recognize them the beautiful voices who sing the intro and background to the Stone’s classic, “You Can’t Always Get what you want.”
I quickly announced to everybody I hoped the elevator got stuck so we would be able to finish listening to Mick and the boys finish off one of my all-time favorites. I stood and listened with a smile on my face until the millennial standing next to me announce she didn’t like the song.
I was shocked and sadden. And then it got worse.
It wasn’t the beat or rhythm of the song she objected to it was the message!!! She said “I hate the message of the song.” I hope she was joking but it seems she wasn’t. Lucky for her we were in an elevator because elevators don’t have windows.
My Children are very familiar with the song. Not only because it comes up a lot on my iTunes and Spotify. My children are familiar with the song because if they had a nickel for every time I told them, “you know what Mick Jaeger would say about that,” they would be able to afford whatever they want.
In fact a few years ago my son, Mike, and were at a Fun. concert and when Nate Ruess started his cover it didn’t take more than about two bars before he was able to point out “Dad they are playing your song.” (Maybe someday my children will think it is our song, not just my song.)
I’m not suggesting you use pop culture for advice on how to live. The Stones have plenty of song I would prefer my children not live out. But in the case of this song, I would like every American to come to except the songs not so subtle message.
They don’t hide it. If fact they say it over and over and over and over again.
You can’t always get what you want but if you try sometime you might just get what you need. Oh yeah. I love it.
At Willmar Electric our core values include “treating other the way you want to be treated.” Coming to except you can’t always get what you want is the first step toward treating others the way THEY want to be treated. It is hard to focus on others and serve others if you haven’t accepted you can’t always get what you want and in fact you should even be seeking it out.
A wise man once told me. If everybody put everybody else first just imagine how much better off we all would be. We would have everybody watching out for us instead of themselves.
(Side note. Music critic Richie Unterberger once wrote, "If you buy John Lennon's observation that the Rolling Stones were apt to copy the Beatles' innovations within a few months or so, "You Can't Always Get What You Want" is the Rolling Stones' counterpart to 'Hey Jude.’” Hey Jude is my favorite song. So maybe I’m just a sucker for this very specific genre.)
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Is Chivalry Dead?
I spent the day yesterday with a group of people including a friend of mine and his wife. For the sake of protecting the guilty I will change my friends name to Jay and his wife’s name to Bobbi.
Jay and Bobbi are fun. End to end laughs and good times. A model couple. They seem to enjoy being together and make each other better when then they are together.
On the other hand I am more of a trouble maker. I tend to error on the side of giving people too hard of a time. Some call it needling others just think I’m mean.
At one point during the day I held the door open for the two them and Jay quickly walked in the building ahead of Bobbi. I commented “ladies, first.” For the rest of the day the entire group gave Jay a hard time about needing a lesson in chivalry. Even the slightest slip up by Jay would get pointed out despite Jay’s best efforts, including the several times he gave Bobbi a hand into his pickup with the doors about 3 feet off the ground.
At one point I told Jay to watch out if Bobbi ever spent time with my son, she would learn how a lady should be treated. Because he has been taught all the proper lessons.
Today walking through the airport I noticed a mother standing near me with her son and daughter. The first word I heard were from the son telling his sister to “SHUT UP” followed by a shove. The girl quickly cried foul and rightly objected to the shove.
I realize the Mom has a lot more information then I do and I am not going to judge any of the people involved. I don’t know what the sister said to make the brother think his advice and shove was warranted.
What I do know isn’t ok. A man doesn’t physically act out against a women. Never. It is a basic rule. It is an absolute.
So for the second day in a row the topic of how a man treats a woman was front and center in my life. Not to mention we are currently in the middle of an election between Donald Trump, who has had his treatment of women questioned, and Hilary Clinton, whose husband’s actions toward women, have evolved in a major issue.
My comparison of the two stories really ends there.
The theme is, how should a man treat a lady? (Rest assured Bobbi is mostly treated like a queen, it is why I was able to give Jay a hard time).
The second story sent my mind to spinning. Does this young man have an active dad to teach him important lessons in manhood? Is chivalry dead?
A mom don’t have the same impact as a dad on teaching a son chivalry. The best way to teach young men how to treat ladies is to have a real man both demonstrate and tell them what chivalry looks like. A single mom is going to struggle because she can’t model the behavior. Of course she can make sure she only has chivalrous men in her life. I understand in my example above a dad may have been only briefly gone and will address the subject when he returns or may be waiting at home to give junior a lesson on never pushing a women. Even if the women is an annoying older sister.
I hope my son lives up to the praise I gave him when talking to Jay and Bobbi. I hope I am modeling not only to him but that I have modeled to my daughters what they should be looking for in a husband.
I am raising independent daughters. They can handle themselves in society but I still want them to live in a world that includes both equal opportunity for women and chivalry. A life involving statements like “ladies first” and “you can have my seat mam”. Hopefully my daughters live in a world without glass ceilings and plenty of open doors. I just want some of those doors to have been opened by a man with the courtesy of letting them walk in first.
Jay and Bobbi are fun. End to end laughs and good times. A model couple. They seem to enjoy being together and make each other better when then they are together.
On the other hand I am more of a trouble maker. I tend to error on the side of giving people too hard of a time. Some call it needling others just think I’m mean.
At one point during the day I held the door open for the two them and Jay quickly walked in the building ahead of Bobbi. I commented “ladies, first.” For the rest of the day the entire group gave Jay a hard time about needing a lesson in chivalry. Even the slightest slip up by Jay would get pointed out despite Jay’s best efforts, including the several times he gave Bobbi a hand into his pickup with the doors about 3 feet off the ground.
At one point I told Jay to watch out if Bobbi ever spent time with my son, she would learn how a lady should be treated. Because he has been taught all the proper lessons.
Today walking through the airport I noticed a mother standing near me with her son and daughter. The first word I heard were from the son telling his sister to “SHUT UP” followed by a shove. The girl quickly cried foul and rightly objected to the shove.
I realize the Mom has a lot more information then I do and I am not going to judge any of the people involved. I don’t know what the sister said to make the brother think his advice and shove was warranted.
What I do know isn’t ok. A man doesn’t physically act out against a women. Never. It is a basic rule. It is an absolute.
So for the second day in a row the topic of how a man treats a woman was front and center in my life. Not to mention we are currently in the middle of an election between Donald Trump, who has had his treatment of women questioned, and Hilary Clinton, whose husband’s actions toward women, have evolved in a major issue.
My comparison of the two stories really ends there.
The theme is, how should a man treat a lady? (Rest assured Bobbi is mostly treated like a queen, it is why I was able to give Jay a hard time).
The second story sent my mind to spinning. Does this young man have an active dad to teach him important lessons in manhood? Is chivalry dead?
A mom don’t have the same impact as a dad on teaching a son chivalry. The best way to teach young men how to treat ladies is to have a real man both demonstrate and tell them what chivalry looks like. A single mom is going to struggle because she can’t model the behavior. Of course she can make sure she only has chivalrous men in her life. I understand in my example above a dad may have been only briefly gone and will address the subject when he returns or may be waiting at home to give junior a lesson on never pushing a women. Even if the women is an annoying older sister.
I hope my son lives up to the praise I gave him when talking to Jay and Bobbi. I hope I am modeling not only to him but that I have modeled to my daughters what they should be looking for in a husband.
I am raising independent daughters. They can handle themselves in society but I still want them to live in a world that includes both equal opportunity for women and chivalry. A life involving statements like “ladies first” and “you can have my seat mam”. Hopefully my daughters live in a world without glass ceilings and plenty of open doors. I just want some of those doors to have been opened by a man with the courtesy of letting them walk in first.
Monday, June 6, 2016
T Minus One Year
It's June of 2016. Sue and I have been married for 25 years now. Our life has been dominated for over 21 years by raising our 3 wonderful children.
People say you are never done parenting. Since we still enjoy getting our parents advice and wisdom we can only assume we will find that we are never done.
Let me give you an update on our situation.
•Anne just packed her belongings for her summer of working for USBank’s internal audit department in Downtown Minneapolis prior to her Senior year at Bethel. Then it is on to the real world. Paying taxes. (And in Anne’s case maybe processing them.)
•A couple of weeks ago I drove Mike to his summer job working in the human resource department of Cianbro in Readfield Maine. He is likely driving directly from Maine to school in Tennessee next fall.
•Sara has volunteered to work at Lake Beauty Bible Camp (LBBC) for 6 weeks this summer. She is also planning to spend at least one week as a camper at LBBC. She is looking at colleges for the fall of 2017. None are closer then 7 hours away. Nice example set by her siblings.
People love to ask Sue and I if we are ready. Our answer is always, YES. We love our children and being around them. But at least in my case my favorite place to be is home alone with Sue. (Sitting at Fenway isn’t realistic, they only play 81 home games.). Hopefully Sue would answer the same thing.
We love our children and we love to be with them. But we always raised them with the idea they would move on and move out. We always prayed they would go and find what God has in store for them.
When one of them returns home we stop what we are doing and revolve our lives around them. We eat their favorite things and do their favorite activities. As Sara will gladly attest. But Anne and Mike can also tell you we seem to live in a house centered on Sara and why not, she is the only one home. Well, when she is home.
When they leave we dive write back into our regular lives. It’s a blast. With or without them.
Do you cry when are son drives off to live in Maine? YES. But the joy you get from meeting his girlfriend, hearing about the new places he has discovered and the things he finds out for himself outweighs the sadness. Is it slightly stressful when you find out his car isn’t starting all the time during his first week in Maine? But knowing you have raised a son who can figure it out for himself is rewarding. Praise the Lord.
This could have been one last summer at home before Anne graduates from College. But she needs to hit the ground running. A high level internship makes it realistic to think she is ready for the real world. Anne is a fountain of good news. We are secure in knowing God has a plan for her and she is doing everything she can to find His plan.
We have one last summer with Sara before she hits her Senior year of High School. We are having a great time with Sara as an only child. But the joy of knowing it only took 5 minutes for LBBC to interview her and offer her a position as a counselor is more then reassuring. When she hung up the phone after only 5 minutes I asked why the interview was so short she said “because they know me.” Awesome.
So what is next? The chances next year we won’t be completely alone are nearly 100%. Unless Mike summers with us and Sara doesn’t like camp. Mike is already talking about other adventures and Sara has increased her LBBC involvement every year since we moved to Nebraska.
I am traveling about 10-15 days a month for ABC right now and next year will travel about 1-2 days a month.
Over the weekend Anne suggested Sue should join her is studying for the CPAs. She also suggested I get my MBA. I could also try some other personal ambition like joining the Colson Fellowship program.
Truth is we have no idea what God has in store for us. It is doubtful God’s plan is watching 162 Red Sox games.
What we do know is Sue and I are excited for our children and looking forward to the next phase in life.
By the way does anybody want what will be 3 year old Irish Terrier by this time next year? (Maybe she can be Anne’s graduation gift.) I can’t imagine God has Tessie in his plan for us. She seems to be of Satan.
People say you are never done parenting. Since we still enjoy getting our parents advice and wisdom we can only assume we will find that we are never done.
Let me give you an update on our situation.
•Anne just packed her belongings for her summer of working for USBank’s internal audit department in Downtown Minneapolis prior to her Senior year at Bethel. Then it is on to the real world. Paying taxes. (And in Anne’s case maybe processing them.)
•A couple of weeks ago I drove Mike to his summer job working in the human resource department of Cianbro in Readfield Maine. He is likely driving directly from Maine to school in Tennessee next fall.
•Sara has volunteered to work at Lake Beauty Bible Camp (LBBC) for 6 weeks this summer. She is also planning to spend at least one week as a camper at LBBC. She is looking at colleges for the fall of 2017. None are closer then 7 hours away. Nice example set by her siblings.
People love to ask Sue and I if we are ready. Our answer is always, YES. We love our children and being around them. But at least in my case my favorite place to be is home alone with Sue. (Sitting at Fenway isn’t realistic, they only play 81 home games.). Hopefully Sue would answer the same thing.
We love our children and we love to be with them. But we always raised them with the idea they would move on and move out. We always prayed they would go and find what God has in store for them.
When one of them returns home we stop what we are doing and revolve our lives around them. We eat their favorite things and do their favorite activities. As Sara will gladly attest. But Anne and Mike can also tell you we seem to live in a house centered on Sara and why not, she is the only one home. Well, when she is home.
When they leave we dive write back into our regular lives. It’s a blast. With or without them.
Do you cry when are son drives off to live in Maine? YES. But the joy you get from meeting his girlfriend, hearing about the new places he has discovered and the things he finds out for himself outweighs the sadness. Is it slightly stressful when you find out his car isn’t starting all the time during his first week in Maine? But knowing you have raised a son who can figure it out for himself is rewarding. Praise the Lord.
This could have been one last summer at home before Anne graduates from College. But she needs to hit the ground running. A high level internship makes it realistic to think she is ready for the real world. Anne is a fountain of good news. We are secure in knowing God has a plan for her and she is doing everything she can to find His plan.
We have one last summer with Sara before she hits her Senior year of High School. We are having a great time with Sara as an only child. But the joy of knowing it only took 5 minutes for LBBC to interview her and offer her a position as a counselor is more then reassuring. When she hung up the phone after only 5 minutes I asked why the interview was so short she said “because they know me.” Awesome.
So what is next? The chances next year we won’t be completely alone are nearly 100%. Unless Mike summers with us and Sara doesn’t like camp. Mike is already talking about other adventures and Sara has increased her LBBC involvement every year since we moved to Nebraska.
I am traveling about 10-15 days a month for ABC right now and next year will travel about 1-2 days a month.
Over the weekend Anne suggested Sue should join her is studying for the CPAs. She also suggested I get my MBA. I could also try some other personal ambition like joining the Colson Fellowship program.
Truth is we have no idea what God has in store for us. It is doubtful God’s plan is watching 162 Red Sox games.
What we do know is Sue and I are excited for our children and looking forward to the next phase in life.
By the way does anybody want what will be 3 year old Irish Terrier by this time next year? (Maybe she can be Anne’s graduation gift.) I can’t imagine God has Tessie in his plan for us. She seems to be of Satan.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Keeping it to yourself (Understanding the youth of America)
Yesterday I visited my old hometown Willmar, Minnesota. The visit included a trip to the church I went to for the first 18 years of my life and was later married in just 25 years ago next week. Many of the faces are the same, just older, but many new people have moved in since I left.
As I sat getting ready for the service to start yesterday one of the new comers and one of the old timers had a conversation I couldn't help but over hear.
I would guess the younger person was in her 30's and the older person was about 80.
The conversation went something like this. (Notice how the younger person handles the questions).
Older Gentleman: Are you still working at the same place?
Younger lady: Yes but as of May 2nd I will be moving on.
O: Why? Didn't they treat you well?
Y: I found another place to work.
O: You will lose all your vacation time.
Y: I get a chance work with new people.
O: But you're starting all over. From nowhere. From scratch.
Y: Yes.
O: Doesn't it concern you?
Y: It's in Mankato.
O: Why Mankato?
Y: They do the same thing my old company does. I'm looking forward to it.
The older guy had lots of questions. You could tell from his tone he couldn't understand why somebody would leave a perfectly good job for another job. The younger person didn't answer the questions directly it was like she spoke another language.
It was a clear case of two people from two different generations taking a completely different view of the world. Fascinating, at least to me.
I also noticed she never said anything bad about the place she was leaving. She was given several chances to bad mouth her current place of work, but didn't. It would have help the older gentleman understand her, in his opinion, rash actions. But she took the high road.
Certainly the younger lady has reasons why she is taking a job 2 hours away in the same blue collar industry but she choose to keep it to herself. She had the good manners, in my opinion, not to bad mouth her current situation or brag about a raise. Maybe she is running away from something in Willmar and wants a fresh start in Mankato. But again she is displaying the good sense of not unloading her baggage on this older gentleman in a public setting.
Far too often in life I have fallen victim to getting to hear (TMI) too much information from strangers. Likely I have shared TMI with strangers and friends from time to time. It is refreshing to be witness to somebody have polite conversation with destroying others or over sharing.
I'll try to get better. Don't be afraid to help me.
As I sat getting ready for the service to start yesterday one of the new comers and one of the old timers had a conversation I couldn't help but over hear.
I would guess the younger person was in her 30's and the older person was about 80.
The conversation went something like this. (Notice how the younger person handles the questions).
Older Gentleman: Are you still working at the same place?
Younger lady: Yes but as of May 2nd I will be moving on.
O: Why? Didn't they treat you well?
Y: I found another place to work.
O: You will lose all your vacation time.
Y: I get a chance work with new people.
O: But you're starting all over. From nowhere. From scratch.
Y: Yes.
O: Doesn't it concern you?
Y: It's in Mankato.
O: Why Mankato?
Y: They do the same thing my old company does. I'm looking forward to it.
The older guy had lots of questions. You could tell from his tone he couldn't understand why somebody would leave a perfectly good job for another job. The younger person didn't answer the questions directly it was like she spoke another language.
It was a clear case of two people from two different generations taking a completely different view of the world. Fascinating, at least to me.
I also noticed she never said anything bad about the place she was leaving. She was given several chances to bad mouth her current place of work, but didn't. It would have help the older gentleman understand her, in his opinion, rash actions. But she took the high road.
Certainly the younger lady has reasons why she is taking a job 2 hours away in the same blue collar industry but she choose to keep it to herself. She had the good manners, in my opinion, not to bad mouth her current situation or brag about a raise. Maybe she is running away from something in Willmar and wants a fresh start in Mankato. But again she is displaying the good sense of not unloading her baggage on this older gentleman in a public setting.
Far too often in life I have fallen victim to getting to hear (TMI) too much information from strangers. Likely I have shared TMI with strangers and friends from time to time. It is refreshing to be witness to somebody have polite conversation with destroying others or over sharing.
I'll try to get better. Don't be afraid to help me.
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